Have Your Say
Got something on your mind that you want to share , a burning question you want answered , or a good story to tell ? Then send it to letters @ modernathlete . co . za , and add a pic if you can . Letters should preferably be no more than 300 words long , and pics should be high-resolution . ( Note that letters may be shortened due to space limitations .)
EDITOR ’ S PICK
LISTEN TO YOUR GUT !
To begin , let ’ s be clear that this post is not about seeking favour , sympathy or anything of the like . I run alone , with buds in my ears , listening to music , because I choose to . I am supremely aware of the dangers that pertain to doing this , hence I am super vigilant about my surroundings , movements of pedestrians , cyclists , and more profoundly , vehicles . Guys and girls in their cars , on their mobiles , running stop signs , running traffic lights , or just plain damn inconsiderate and selfish . The current I , ME , MY attitude really sucks when you live in a world surrounded by OTHERS .
So , I am very aware of my surroundings – 40 years of dodging traffic on the run can make it so – but a recent run was to be oh so profoundly enlightening , traumatic , scary , and very different from any other day on the run .
It started out as an easy run . All around seemed to be going along as normal , music was ZZ Top pumping away in my ears , 1.1km down the road . Good vibes , good pace , life was good . Then nearly killed at the traffic light intersection of Imam Haron and 2nd Avenue when a driver in a black Toyota bakkie ran the red light at well over 80km per hour !
I had paused at the intersection , as the light was against me . The light changed , but I continued to pause , as I always do , for just a few more seconds for things to clear . Stopped car on my right , driver smiles and nods . I start my Garmin and step into the road to start running , heading for the other side . Three cars to my left in the queue , I can see and confirm are stationary . Keep running … then I glimpsed something black approaching very fast from my left , coming around the back of the stationary cars .
Always trust your instincts , no matter what ! I stopped in the road , inside the pedestrian crossing lines , and felt the mirror brushing past my chest . I was so close to him that I recall having full eye contact with the driver throughout . I literally felt that ice cold something passing through me . Hectic goosebumps ! One step further and I would definitely have been dead ! Funny how you just know deep down that this would have been it , the moment !
The driver didn ’ t even hesitate , let alone stop , just kept going . Meanwhile , my adrenaline spiked so badly from shock that I could not stop shaking . I pushed the pace from there to try and bring down the rush and control the tears , anger , rage and fear . No go ! Sitting at home later , I was still shaking and tingling ! So , so close ...
Please be aware out there . Trust your inner self and listen when spoken to . Fortunately , I did this day . – Allan Ryninks , Cape Town
Firstly , I am very glad to hear that my good friend , Allan , is safe after this harrowing experience . As a highly experienced road runner , with 32 Two Oceans Marathon finishes and four Comrades medals to his name , amongst many others , he knows his way around the roads , but even somebody with all that experience can still be in the wrong place at the wrong time if a driver is reckless or breaks the law . Secondly , I appreciate him sharing this story with all , and hope it will resonate with all runners out on the roads , especially now that the darker winter months are here , and visibility is further reduced . As my father told me when he taught me to drive , always expect the unexpected , and always assume the driver of the oncoming car has not seen you . – Ed .
Image : Allan Ryninks
Allan Ryninks ( left ) is well versed in road running
9